‘E.E.C. Could Solve Asian Problems’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 6

‘E.E.C. Could Solve Asian Problems’

Solutions to the economic and political problems of Africa and South-east Asia could emerge from the heart of Europe, the Belgian Ambassador to New Zealand (Mr L. A. Van den Berghe) told Christchurch Rotarians yesterday.

Member countries of the European Economic Community could use their experience in attaining joint prosperity to develop an assistance programme which could be understood by other countries, he said. Mr Van den Berghe said the Common Market should become a commonwealth of European nations. Once this was achieved it could speak to the rest of the world and help to solve its problems. He dismissed the so-called “crash programme” as the means of helping developing countries. “Through our history we

know there is no such thing as a crash programme. You only have to look at what we have achieved in industry over a period.” he said. Mr Van den Berghe referred to others who had tried to unite Europe from the time of Napoleon to Hitler, but none had succeeded as had the signatories to the Treaty of Rome. He attributed the success of the organisation to the realisation of the need to work together to establish rules of common behaviour. He did not doubt that the Common Market was here to stay, but the member countries realised that life in Europe was no longer possible unless there were wider fields for economic, political and social activity. Mr Van den Berghe said that by July, 1968, there should be a completely free flow of goods within the six countries of the Common Market. This was very important because if the goods had to be produced in economic quantities they must have a market. Since 1958 the breaking down of trade barriers had led to a 200 per cent increase in trade among the member countries. Mr Van den Berghe said the more people traded with each other the more they got to know each other and the easier they could solve their difficulties. “In addition to the development of Europe itself, we shall at the same time provide a unit better geared for balancing with the rest of the world,” he said. He could not disassociate the Common Market with the defence of the community. The more prosperous it became the more it would need defence. Hence there was no justification for the claim that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation had outlived itself.

“In its original framework it has not and it never will," he said. “We are small and cannot defend ourselves. We have to have a defence we share with others.”